France enters its third and penultimate phase of easing Covid-19 restrictions on Wednesday as indicators continue to show the country’s rate of infections subsiding. FRANCE 24 looks at the changes in store for residents, businesses and visitors to France from June 9.
Curfew rolled back, indoor dining returns
Starting Wednesday, the nationwide curfew in effect across France will be pushed back from 9pm to 11pm.
That rollback is just one boon in store for restaurateurs starting on June 9. After a seven-month ban on indoor dining, cafés and restaurants across the country will be permitted to welcome customers inside, albeit at half the establishment’s seating capacity and with tables limited to a maximum of six people.
Outdoor terraces can open to full capacity, up from the 50 percent allowed since May 19, although patio dining is also limited to tables of six.
Shops will be allowed to accommodate twice as many customers, with capacity bumped up to one patron per four square metres (from 8m² previously).
Gatherings of more than 10 people, with the exception of tour groups, are still prohibited. Face masks remain required, even outdoors, until at least June 30.
Health pass
France’s new health pass also comes into effect on June 9, enabling access to activities with large crowds. The pass, available digitally through the “Tous Anti-Covid” virus tracing app or in paper form, provides proof that an individual age 11 and up has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19; has tested positive for Covid-19 more than 15 days ago and within the last six months (with the resulting natural antibodies reducing the risk of reinfection); or has tested negative with a recent Covid-19 PCR test.
The health pass will allow access to gatherings of more than 1,000 people, including indoor and outdoor sporting events, cultural venues, casinos, festivals, trade shows and funfairs.
Museums, cinemas,…